Chinese Herbs Help Prevent Diabetes

March 19th, 2010

There has always been a link between Chinese herbal medicine and the prevention of diabetes but until a recent study was conducted it has never actually been proven.

Well recently, researchers from the University of Western Sydney Australia conducted an analysis of 16 previously published studies conducted on a total of 1,391 adults who suffered from fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance. Both of these are known to cause an increase in blood sugar levels, leading to pre-diabetes and raising the risk of full diabetes. In the majority of the studies which had been conducted, half of the participants were assigned to control their blood sugar with a combination of traditional Chinese herbal remedies as well as making some lifestyle changes. The other half were just to make lifestyle changes in order to try and reduce their blood sugar.

The researchers found that those who took a combination of Chinese herbal remedies were twice as likely to achieve normal blood sugar than those who only made lifestyle changes and they were also two thirds less likely to develop diabetes over the course of the given study, the average length of which was nine months.

The authors of the analysis strongly advise that anyone considering the use of Chinese herbal remedies consult a qualified practitioner before doing so.